Reply to: Agency Exclusivity

[Badger]

Added:

"I agree to be represented by <agency> for <role> at <client> on the understanding that my CV is submitted to the client for the role. If other agencies approach me regarding this role I will authorise them to submit my CV once they have confirmed its absence at the client. This exclusivity shall last for 1 week from the date of this email."

[DodgyAgent]

Being prepared to change your mind is a mark of intelligence, and I stand firmly by that.

Would you be prepared to change your mind on that?

[expat]

So, a standard response to this should be something like:

"I agree to be represented by <agency> for <role> at <client> on the understanding that my CV is submitted to the client for the role. If other agencies approach me regarding this role I will authorise them to submit my CV once they have confirmed its absence at the client."

... and add a time limit, like 1 week, after which if no news, exclusivity drops.

[Badger]

So, a standard response to this should be something like:

"I agree to be represented by <agency> for <role> at <client> on the understanding that my CV is submitted to the client for the role. If other agencies approach me regarding this role I will authorise them to submit my CV once they have confirmed its absence at the client."

[BrilloPad]

Being prepared to change your mind is a mark of intelligence, and I stand firmly by that.

true. but I have lost a role due to agents submitting CV twice (during the 1991 recession). I tell the first agent they are covered for that role only provided my cv submitted. Subsequent agents they can submit my cv if not already there.

[expat]

You did a 360 once(did you mean a 180?). You might well change you mind again.

Being prepared to change your mind is a mark of intelligence, and I stand firmly by that.

[expat]

I still hold by this

Your #4 in that thread is a good point, that I have raised several times: how is the law of supply and demand working here?

Adam Smith had the answer 230 years ago: the operation of a free market is in the interests of buyers, not necessarily of sellers, who will do whetever they can to prevent it. Agencies don't want the law of supply and demand to operate. Don't let them persuade you out of it.

There is another possible situation that I think you missed: Agency A contact you about the contract. they get exclusivity. Agency B contact you about the contract. you decline. Problem is, B are on the preferred suppliers list, and A are not. What happens then? A subcontract you to B, who place you in the contract. You may not even know about it, but you've got a parasite.

So why not let them both bid to you for your services? Take the one that you prefer, after you have the offers, not before.

[BrilloPad]

I still hold by this

You did a 360 once(did you mean a 180?). You might well change you mind again.

[DodgyAgent]

I still hold by this

If only life and human nature were so simple

[johhnysalad]

I still hold by this

[BrilloPad]

Good point. I would start adding that note in the future.

Soon we are going to need solicitors just to get the right wording when submitting a CV.

Where have all the honest agents gone?

[vhadiant]

Do you not add "provided I am submitted to the client for the role"?

Good point. I would start adding that note in the future.

[MikeC1408]

That's about it, An email saying yes you have been put forward.

That way if it later transpires that you haven't you can cause merry hell.

[Badger]

I normally ask for proof of submission in return

What proof do you get and how is it more (un)trustworthy that the agency saying 'yes your submitted'?

[MikeC1408]

I normally ask for proof of submission in return